A Day When All Secrets Are Revealed
At-Tariq is the name of the 86th chapter of the Quran that has 17 verses and is in the 30th Juz. It is Makki and the 36th Surah revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
At-Tariq means a star or something that comes at night. The word is mentioned in the first verse, and hence the name of the chapter.
Surah At-Tariq talks about resurrection and says God can return man to life after his death.
It also highlights the importance of the Quran and introduces it as “decisive word”.
The content of the Surah can be divided into two parts:
1- The Resurrection Day
2- The Holy Quran and its importance and value
In this Surah God points to the existence of guardians for every person. “There is not a soul but over it is a keeper.” (Verse 4)
This verse underlines the perpetuity of the Nafs (self). God has created the Nafs in such a way that it will not be destroyed with death. One’s character and reality is formed based on his Nafs and on the Day of Judgment, when God returns people back to life, He gives them back their Nafs. Therefore, he will be the same person who lived in this world.
It order to prove the possibility of the Day of Judgment, the Surah refers to creation of human beings “from an ejected drop of fluid” (Verse 6). Thus, God who created man from such a fluid can also bring him back to life after his death.
“Most surely He is able to return him (to life).” (Verse 8)
Next, the Surah describes some features of the Resurrection Day and reiterates the significance of that day. The Surah concludes with a stern warning to disbelievers.
Verse 9 of Surah At-Tariq is among the famous verses. It describes the Resurrection Day as “the day when all secrets will be made public”.
For believers, the revelation of secrets would be something to be proud of and would bring more blessings whereas for disbelievers and sinners, it brings about shame and embarrassment.
